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RPL - Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning - RPL, is an assessment process based on matching the formal and informal learning experiences gained throughout one’s life, to the competencies required to gain a qualification. If you wish to apply for RPL you will need to provide evidence which demonstrates how your background, experiences and/or past studies match what you can already do or what you already know, against a unit(s) of competency from the program in which you are enrolled. Evidence can include references, diary, work samples, resume, portfolio, video/audio tape, role play etc.

RPL Workplace Assessment

is best suited to people who:

* feel they have the skills to meet all or most of the units of competency from a particular program
* have more than 5 years full time industry experience
* have child care specific skills and paid industry employment
* have attended formal training programs (e.g. professional development workshops)

RPL Evidence Assessment

is best suited to people who:

* would like to apply for RPL for one or a couple of units of competency
* have been in the industry for less than 5 years
* wish to upgrade from the Diploma, Associate Diploma, CCC or CCCS to the Diploma of Children’s Services (ECEC)

What is Credit Transfer?

Recognition of Prior Learning is quite different from Credit Transfer. Credit transfer is a process where credit is automatically granted by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to clients who have documented evidence of achievement (e.g. a Statement of Attainment/Certificate) in the relevant competency or qualification from another RTO.

Important note everyone should read:

Don't waste time and money studying a qualification if you have already have the skills and knowledge that will meet the competencies of a qualification. Call today to speak to an ECTARC Training Officer to discuss your experience and previous studies to determine which RPL assessment method would suit you best. Call NSW on 02 4223 1111 or QLD on 07 3345 8272

Early Childhood Australia RPL Video Resource

Early Childhood Australia's National Quality Standard Professional Learning Program (NQS PLP) has a new video resource to help encourage unqualified Early Childhood Education & Care workers to undertake the Certificate III, Diploma or Advanced Diploma qualification in Children’s Services. The NQS PLP is Government funded and the resources are free to use, we encourage utilisation and distribution of the video through your networks. We would also be very interested in any feedback and in particular about how you were able to make use of the videos. The video can be accessed through the following link: Talking about practice: ‘Recognition of Prior Learning pathways’

Assess yourself

The NSW Community Services & Health ITAB have a fantastic web based resource that will assist early childhood educators to assess whether they are eligible for RPL. The resource called ALL IN A DAYS WORK also gives scenarios and examples of evidence that would be required to be collected and given to an ECTARC Training Officer if they were conducting an RPL Workplace Assessment. Click on the link below to access the ALL IN A DAYS WORK website - you will be required to register but this is a very simple process that takes 2 minutes to complete. If you need help with this process call ECTARC on 02 4223 1111 for assistance.

Do you or your staff need to gain a qualification to meet the new NQF standards?

One of the key changes under the National Quality Framework is the introduction of new requirements for early childhood education and care services to have more highly qualified staff. These new requirements must be met by 1 January 2014 and are listed below:

Within each long day care centre or preschool, half of all staff will need to have (or to be actively working towards) a diploma-level early childhood education and care qualification or above, and the remaining staff will all be required to have (or be actively working towards) a Certificate III level early childhood education and care qualification, or equivalent.

All family day care coordinators will need to have a diploma-level early childhood education and care qualification or above. All family day carers will be required to have (or be actively working towards) a Certificate III level early childhood education and care qualification, or equivalent.

ECTARC offers a range of training and assessment pathways to achieve a children's services qualification.

Children's Services RPL subsidy

Children's Services organisations in rural and remote locations now have access to a travel subsidy, allowing registered assessors to make on-site visits and conduct an RPL process with eligible candidates.

Numerous assessors throughout Australia have been approved by DEEWR, and trained to use the new national RPL tool for Certificate III and Diploma of Education and Care qualifications. The subsidy allows an organisation to claim up to $1125 per candidate to reimburse the travel cost of an assessor to visit the site and conduct the assessment.

ECTARC can travel to any service to undertake a RPL Workplace Assessment. Contact Natalie at natalie@ectarc.com.au for more information.

CHANGES TO ELIGIBILITY FOR THE RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING INITIATIVE

FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS

Posted: 15 July 2014

As a result of the commencement of the Long Day Care Professional Development Programme (LDCPDP) from 1 July 2014, long day care educators will no longer be eligible to apply for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiative from that date. Early childhood educators working in long day care services will be able to use LDCPDP funding for RPL assessments.

Educators employed by Family Day Care, Outside School Hours Care, Preschool or centre-based Budget Based Funded services will continue to be eligible for RPL grants.

RPL grants of up to $3,500 will continue to be available for eligible early childhood educators in remote and regional locations as a contribution to the costs associated with undertaking an RPL assessment for Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care qualifications.